Introducing........RAT’S NEST

[R68GTO]

Great time at the KilKare Vintage Race Car Display. Finally got to meet Sherm (69z2x4) after messaging him for a couple years on local race history stuff. Also had a couple of family members (Chad Willis / Richard McQuirt pics below) of Ralph Willis stop by to see the car that Ralph restored to the Black/gold stripe scheme back in 1978. Ralph passed in the summer of 2021 unexpectedly. He told me this was the car he wished he had back.
Also had a guy stop by the car and told me that he knew the car well. He worked at the Ray Bryant Chevrolet parts counter and remembers when this Lemans Blue COPO was delivered to the dealer along with a another white COPO. He was a childhood friend of Doug Davis (owner #2 of my car and the guy that did the Rats Nest theme), and later worked at Ault & James where Doug had the engine built. To top it off, at one point he was the announcer at KilKare Raceway! He's going to send me a few pics he took of Rats Nest after it was painted, but before it was lettered up. He also thinks he might be able to help me find the OO for my car! I sure hope that pans out!

[Too Many Projects]

That had to be a very exciting day for you, Jim, congrats on all the people filling in history for you. Double fingers crossed on finding the OO..

[69z2x4]

For those of you that haven't had the pleasure of speaking with Jim in person you are missing out. Jim is such a personable guy and a gresat asset to the hobby..Just like Jim's COPO, it must be seen in person to fully appreciate what he has accomplished in his restoreration of such a fine car. Hope to see you again soon.

[R68GTO]

GM Carlisle - Solid Lifter Showroom here we come!

[Xplantdad]

Be safe and have fun!

[R68GTO]

Well, the guy I met at the Springfield Swap Meet came through with a photo for me. He told me that he has more, just needs to find them.
According to him, this photo was from the first trip to KilKare after the car had been painted. Best shot I have of the car in this form

[Crush]

I’m not sure if it has been said in this thread but I love the name of this car ! “RATS NEST” sounds so tuff and wicked! Love it!

[Too Many Projects]

That is really cool, Jim. Having history and pics of a 53 yr old car come out of the woodwork is amazing. Being a known race car has really helped you piece together the story.

[Xplantdad]

Way too cool!

[R68GTO]

At the risk of rambling, I'll kind of replay a phone conversation I had tonight. Spoke with a guy named Dave Thomas about bring Rats Nest to the "Gathering of the Geezers" event at KilKare in August as part of a vintage drag car display. Dave is one of the organizers of the event. As we spoke about the history of my car and it's ties to Kilkare as the home track, he mentioned that he campaigned the 63 Ault & James Corvette with Jerry Ault (owner of the Ault & James Speed Shop). I commented that the guy that created/raced Rats Nest, made the deal to buy the car while he was at Ault & James Speed Shop to pick up some parts. Dave's reply was, you have "that" car?! Dave proceeded to tell me that he was there that day and remembered the kid from UD (University of Dayton) that came in looking to sell this Camaro because it got terrible gas mileage and had manual steering and he wanted to get rid of it. He stated "that was a Ray Bryant car right? He witnessed the deal go down on my car 52-ish years ago. Amazing.